Catt convertors on Boats

[whitlock87]

Ok in reading a different thread, I noticed people talking about new EPA guidelines for boats, is this going to turn into a nightmare?
Can they get wet?
In addition, is this only In California?:

Thanks for any info
David W.

[FIC]

The cat motors have been around for a few years, but wasnt manditory until last year in California , they are profected and have had very little problem. The next item to be worked on will be evaporative systems for the fuel system, which will be a big plus for fuel economy due to no fuel escaping from the fuel tank.

[dogbert]

How big is the evaporation issue?

[mneal]

One good thing that came from the cats is they now have a closed loop EFI system now (oxygen sensor). Up until then the fuel mapping was done based on presets and with the ability to obtain A/F ratios from O2 sensors the fuel curve is way better in every regard. (more power, better economy) .

I dunno how the cats are constructed though, more specifically the materials. Are they cast iron or aluminum or what is the internal construction? They gotta be raw water cooled right? Those of us who run in salt water will be sad to buy 2 new cats as compared to the costs of two risers every couple years.

[correll]

The only company to my knowledge to use stainless steel cat. converters is PCM. All others are using automotive style ceramic. The other engine companies have had a lot of problems with their catalyst systems. The current mandates for emmisions California 2008 everyone else 2010. older boats will not be affected unless they start a program of checking emissions as they do in the auto industry.

[chpthril]

How big is the evaporation issue?

Huge. I used to have some info about how much fuel is lost through a missing gas cap on a car, pretty much the same thing on a boat as the the tank vent to the atmosphere.

One good thing that came from the cats is they now have a closed loop EFI system now (oxygen sensor). Up until then the fuel mapping was done based on presets and with the ability to obtain A/F ratios from O2 sensors the fuel curve is way better in every regard. (more power, better economy) .

I dunno how the cats are constructed though, more specifically the materials. Are they cast iron or aluminum or what is the internal construction? They gotta be raw water cooled right? Those of us who run in salt water will be sad to buy 2 new cats as compared to the costs of two risers every couple years.

I dont know how they are cooled. Converters need to be hot in order for the catalyst to work, but excessive heat is something we dont want in the engine bay of a boat. I imagine they do contain Platinum and Palladium, as these are the elements needed to convert Co to C02 I doubt they are using any Rhodium yet for the conversion of NOx.

[zad0030]

Ive got a the indmar ETX/Cat

[balair]

Ive got a the indmar ETX/Cat

you also have a malibu

[zad0030]

you also have a malibu

But the same engine is also used in other boats, Mastercraft, Supra and moomba.

[FIC]

With the vented fuel tanks not only does the fuel evaporate rapidly but the octane falls off at a steady rate. My ski team boat is a 6.0l requireing 93 octane, well it is the least used fuel so it is inconsistent how good it is when I get it from the pump, sometimes the boat runs better then other ,when im pulling a 6 man barefoot run you can here the differance in the sound of the motor at about 5400 rpm.

[dogbert]

When are we gonna get super clean diesel?

[chpthril]

^^^^ When we are ready to buy a boat built like an Outback (entry level) and carries the price tag of a MC

[dogbert]

What a bummer.

[chpthril]

Diesels are great power plants and would certainly be a great alternative to gas in a towboat, except for 2 reasons: Cost of upgrade would kill most boat buyers, and 2, there is no diesel infrastructure for diesel on many lakes. On our lake there is no diesel, so those few with diesel engine in their cruisers, have to call the delivery truck a couple of days in advance and then meet the driver when he arrives. If you boat is in a marine, you have to move it around the dock to get it as close to the truck as possible. it's not cheap to get a special delivery.

[zad0030]

I just read on the Malibu Crew that he swapped out for the new ETX cat converters and his 99 boat is now runner cooler, better and faster.